Match your skills with what employers want
Many Canadians have adopted a lifelong love for learning. While some take courses to pursue a personal interest, others prefer learning skills that increase their employability. Whether it’s a desire to change careers or to reach a higher pay scale, one thing is certain: there are more choices available than ever for enquiring minds looking to expand their skill set.
If the main motivation for upgrading one’s skills is for employment opportunities, it can be a challenge to determine which skill upgrades will, in fact, provide the most bang for buck. Workopolis surveyed 256 Canadian employers about their hiring intentions and challenges in 2015, and analyzed millions of job postings to determine what’s in demand in today’s labour market.
Soft skills. Among the top ten skills most sought after in job postings, soft skills came out on top. Communications skills, customer relations, organizational skills, problem solving and teamwork are hot commodities. In fact, almost one-third (30%) of employers said candidates were most lacking in soft skills. Digital skills. It should come as no surprise that technical skills are increasingly in demand by employers. High on the list is Microsoft Office, with social media particularly important for roles in marketing, human resources, sales, digital design and development. Randstad Canada, a staffing, recruitment and HR services firm indicate there’s a high demand for IT professionals in its Hot Jobs for 2017 online report. The following coding languages that appear to be most valued by employers are: java, sql, C#, HTML, CSS and PHP.
Administration. Aside from knowing Microsoft Office, an increasing number of employers are seeking candidates with accounting knowledge, such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll and bookkeeping.
Manufacturing. With baby boomers retiring, the manufacturing sectors are struggling to replace skilled workers. Vocational training, either in addition to university education or in place of it, can pave the way to a career in manufacturing. According to Randstad Canada, expertise in mechanics, electronics, hydraulics and pneumatic systems are among the most sought after skills.
The good news is that qualified candidates are very much in demand across all industries. For anyone looking to expand job opportunities or transition to a new career, the key to success is building those skills that match employers’ needs.